SAN DIEGO WEDDING IN MAY

May, 2007 in San Diego, CA

"We couldn't have had a better wedding day, and location was everything. Everyone commented on how beautiul the Park was....and how cool Modus was.Just be sure to triple check ALL contracts with SD Park & Rec, ESP when using the Spreckels Organ. We learned 3 days before that there was a conflict with our start time and a Prado wedding...and it was not pretty. I'd recommend contacting the Prado separately before confirming your time with SD Park & Rec, bc their calendars are not as in sync as they claim."

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Question:Hi i came across your page while searching for info on the Spreckels Organ pavilion. I have always thought it would be an amazing place to have a wedding ceremony. I wanted to know if you could tell me what the fee was, and if you have any tips or downfalls other than the other wedding going on at the same time. In addition I noticed that you had your reception at patio B (I didn't know that was allowed) and I wanted to know how you got the permits for liquor and what the site fee + liquor permit cost you.

I have emailed them but I haven't received a response and I'm anxious to know.

Response from the couple:Hi Silvia,I'm flattered to be asked :) It turned out to be a lovely wedding spot--I wouldn't have done it any differently--though there were some bumps along the way dealing with the city. As a trade off for being inexpensive, you have to deal with more-than-usual paperwork/beauracracy than a place that's already set up for weddings.

Spreckels Organ Pavilion was $700 for the permit to use the space for 2-3 hours, no liquor allowed in the area. Patio B about $250 for 4-5 hrs (don't remember exactly how much time we had for each), liquor allowed w a license.The caterer was licensed to serve food but not liquor, so we hired bartending staff from The Party Staff, Inc. (VERY easy to work with, professional, responsive) to serve liquor that we bought--they sent proof insurance to us, and we sent to City. In order to serve liquor, however, you also have to have security and proof of it for every so many people (ex., 1 guard per 100 pple). We hired friends of friends and had to prove it to City w a written contract.

things to consider:1) DEFINITELY check with El Prado before setting exact time and date to avoid conflicts. At same time, if you book with the CIty, your date technically trumps the Prado...just hard to enforce.2) Anyone can watch the wedding...both good and bad. Sometimes you could hear and/or see people doing their own thing throughout the ceremony (i didn't notice as a bride, our guests noticed but didn't mind).3) If you want to use the organ, there is only one organist allowed to play it (city can put you in touch...in '07 it was Carol Williams)--you have to hire her and her asst.--I think $600 total.4) like most outdoor venues, there's no "bridal changing area", designated bathroom, etc.

Good luck! I wish you the best. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.

Response from the couple:We had to request use of the organ thru SD Park & Recreation--there was some paperwork--and hire a specific person thru them that was allowed to open/prepare the stage/sound/organ. You'd probably have to hire that person again, even if you didn't want the organ played. There is a designated organ player that was hired separately.

Question:Hi i came across your page while searching for info on the Spreckels Organ pavilion. I have always thought it would be an amazing place to have a wedding ceremony. I wanted to know if you could tell me what the fee was, and if you have any tips or downfalls other than the other wedding going on at the same time. In addition I noticed that you had your reception at patio B (I didn't know that was allowed) and I wanted to know how you got the permits for liquor and what the site fee + liquor permit cost you.

I have emailed them but I haven't received a response and I'm anxious to know.

Response from the couple:Hi Silvia,I'm flattered to be asked :) It turned out to be a lovely wedding spot--I wouldn't have done it any differently--though there were some bumps along the way dealing with the city. As a trade off for being inexpensive, you have to deal with more-than-usual paperwork/beauracracy than a place that's already set up for weddings.

Spreckels Organ Pavilion was $700 for the permit to use the space for 2-3 hours, no liquor allowed in the area. Patio B about $250 for 4-5 hrs (don't remember exactly how much time we had for each), liquor allowed w a license.The caterer was licensed to serve food but not liquor, so we hired bartending staff from The Party Staff, Inc. (VERY easy to work with, professional, responsive) to serve liquor that we bought--they sent proof insurance to us, and we sent to City. In order to serve liquor, however, you also have to have security and proof of it for every so many people (ex., 1 guard per 100 pple). We hired friends of friends and had to prove it to City w a written contract.

things to consider:1) DEFINITELY check with El Prado before setting exact time and date to avoid conflicts. At same time, if you book with the CIty, your date technically trumps the Prado...just hard to enforce.2) Anyone can watch the wedding...both good and bad. Sometimes you could hear and/or see people doing their own thing throughout the ceremony (i didn't notice as a bride, our guests noticed but didn't mind).3) If you want to use the organ, there is only one organist allowed to play it (city can put you in touch...in '07 it was Carol Williams)--you have to hire her and her asst.--I think $600 total.4) like most outdoor venues, there's no "bridal changing area", designated bathroom, etc.

Good luck! I wish you the best. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.

Response from the couple:We had to request use of the organ thru SD Park & Recreation--there was some paperwork--and hire a specific person thru them that was allowed to open/prepare the stage/sound/organ. You'd probably have to hire that person again, even if you didn't want the organ played. There is a designated organ player that was hired separately.

Band:

"They were late. This caused a lot of undue stress for our wedding planner and we wished it hadn't been so. Additionally, they did not have enough man power to set up as promised, again leading to a huge crunch during set up."

Band:

"Lovely background music for an outdoor event. Very flexible with our indecision (they had to choose our first dance!) and issue of no sound system--they were able to bring their own that worked w the space and didn't overpower it."

Invitations Vendor:

"Love. DIY-friendly. Nice selection of fonts. Great customer service. V competitively priced with a huge variety of options. You may or may not add your own touch of creativity, making a v professional and unique invite for half the cost."

Ceremony:

"The space is lovely but know that you will compete with whatever other events people may have planned during that time, as it is a public park. We had several quinceneras photo-taking to the right throughout the ceremony and a group of obnoxious skaters making a bit of a ruckus. The center aisle is a bit problematic for perfectionists, if you're into the whole walk-down-the-aisle-thing. we rented stairs to go over the hedge, making a "straight aisle" (benches + stairs + pavilion were far from lining up w each other in a v symmetrical venue) but was difficult to make them secure."

Reception:

"Once we got there on wedding day, Modus seemed like an absolute diamond in the rough. All of our guests raved. However, negotiating a contract with them was difficult at best (to be fair, it was very new to them). We should have ordered more food, less booze (our crowd drank like fish). The dj Modus selected, insisting he would know how to play the crowd with cool, vibe-y music, played stuff that was so background and vibe-y that even our hip anything-goes NY crowd couldn't get into it. We ended up having our dj friend and his iPod take over, lucky for us. No "wedding" music, just fun dj stuff w a good beat and familiar."

Reception:

"Perfect for what it was but it took a lot of extra work. Getting clearance to serve alcohol on the premise was a feat--includes being insured & correct liquor licenses, plus security (to manage both party and keep outsiders out). A wedding coordinator is key here--we pulled it off w a team of very event-savvy friends (who missed entire ceremony) and a wonderful, local caterer."

Hotel:

"We had some difficulty negoiating an after wedding Sunday brunch with the hotel prior to the event, but eventually came to a fine outcome. Once we arrived, the staff at the hotel was fabulous. They took great care of us and our guests. The location is great if you want to share the Old Town feel with out of town guests."